“Because of You”
Author: B.G. Hennessy
Illustrated by: Hiroe Nakata
Published by: Candlewick Press
Ages: 2 – 5 years
Theme: Kindness, friendship, peace
Opening sentences: Each time a child is born, the world changes. When you were born, there was a new person for your family to love and care for. And because of you, there is one more person who can love and care for others.
Synopsis: A concept book, where B G Hennessy and illustrator of My book of Thanks, Hiroe, reunite in the celebration of the potential in every child. Using simple, everyday examples they show us how acts of kindness, understanding, and generosity, no matter how small, make all the difference to the world. Because of you, there is one more person who needs help and one more person who can help others. When you help, care share, and listen, you are being kind. When two people help, care, share, and listen to each other, they are friends.
Why I like it: After all the terror of shootings, floodings, famine and violence we have been experiencing around the world in the past year, and especially more recently, one thinks of the children involved or affected, who either experience or hear or read, whether close or far away. I wanted to start the new year off with something more peaceful, soothing, and gentle. Something positive, that would show how each person, each child, is special. In this beautiful wispy cotton coloured book by Hennessy and Nakata we see what potential, each child has from the day they are born. What a difference a child can make in the simplest of everyday life. To show a child that in learning they can teach others who then go on to teach. I loved the page… When people from different countries help, care, share, and listen to one another, it is called peace. Even something as big and important as peace begins with something small and precious. It might begin… I bet you can guess what is over the next page. At twenty-four pages, less than the normal thirty-six. Hennessy and Nakata show writers too, how a big message hits home in very few words. Sigh… wouldn’t it be lovely if this book was in every household, in every town, in every country around the world. If you haven’t seen this book, then do look for it and share it with your child, or at your school or in your library. We need to ensure that all children know they are precious, that they have potential, and can make a difference…. Because of who they are!
Give your little one an extra hug tonight!
Resources/Findings: Here is a lovely website giving a number of ideas for fun reading times and activities with very young and all the family…. http://www.familyreading.org/i-summerreading.htm
Here is the authors website, although no activities directly related to this story…. http://www.bghennessy.com/books.asp?book=becauseofyou
Here’s a lovely little site on teaching young children about sharing and caring. http://www.ehow.com/info_8339102_crafts-kids-sharing.html
Another nice idea is to have each child before leaving preschool, give each other a hug on the way out.
For more books with resources please head on over and visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
“Wispy” is the perfect description! Makes me feel warm, sleepy and ready for a tuck in! Nice selection for PPBF Diane!
Thankyou, Cathy. It is a lovely gentle sweet read.
Lovely choice, Diane! And your reason for it is beautiful.
Hi, Thank you Catherine, I thought it would be nice to start off with something positive.
Beautiful selection, Diane. This is right up my alley. I like to teach children we are life, we only need to look around us — the beauty, the interactions and so on. And, we are all connected, what one does impacts the whole of life. Such a beautiful book I will definitely look for.
Thank you, Pat. You will love it, and yes I thought of you when I saw it. It’s a nice refreshing look on what children can do. Every little thing we do or are, makes a difference.
Oh, Diane. It’s not often that I read about a book that I actually then go and buy (as opposed to find at the library) but I think this might be one of them. This sounds PERFECT. What a nice message, and what a nice review.
Thank you, Carrie. It is a lovely book. The message is strong! Thanks for the compliment.
We all need a book like this right now for sure. A great choice, thanks! XO
Thank you, Darlene, for your compliment. It’s a book that should be in every house where children are. For sure.
Awesome choice.review, Diane. I just love the page that lifts the message to an international level, too. Thank you.
Me too, Joanna. Thank you so much for your kind words.
What a great message for kids and adults!
Thank you, I am so glad you like it. It certainly does have a great message.
I agree. All children need to know that they are special and have the potential for greatness just because of who they are.
Thankyou Sandi, for your kind comments.
What a precious book. It’s so nice to stop every now and again and remember how precious each life is and what impact that life can have in the world.
Yes it is, thank you, Kirsten.
Looks like a lovely book — and because of you I’ll be looking for it! Thanks!
Your very welcome rhythm. Hope you find it.
This sounds completely peaceful, soothing, and gentle. You picked well, Diane!